For much of America, Friday nights in the fall mean one thing: High school football.

An even for Americans with no interest in that particular diversion, Friday nights -- in any season -- mean it's time to put the work week behind and get out of the house.

So it shouldn't be that much of a surprise that for all the intense interest surrounding the 2008 presidential campaign -- and for all the extra drama added by the financial crisis now framing the election -- estimated viewership of Fri